TITLE: "HEROES AND HANDICAPS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: None.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "DEVIL'S DEN".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Monty decides to go along with Richie's plan.

Zoe and Book discover what an truly scary character Petrie is.

Meanwhile Simon feels guilty and one man comes to his senses."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"HEROES AND HANDICAPS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"What're you doin'?"

Ritchie didn't pause, his hands working quickly. Deft fingers completing the circuit. "*Baoxian*."

Monty raised an eyebrow and looked round at his small but loyal crew. The five of them turned to stare at Ritchie Thomas. What the good gorram did they need with insurance? Right now Ritchie looked less like a former Sheriff and more like a burglar except he wasn't trying to break into Monty's ship, he was rigging it to stop anyone else doing so.

"Ritchie, we're wastin' time."

"*Fang xin*, you said they'd locked you on board your ship, *dui*?"

Monty nodded. "So?"

"I'm doin' the same."

"Case you ain't noticed we aren't on the ship."

Ritchie finished and stood up, dusting his dirty hands off on his trousers. There was a little grim look of satisfaction on his face. "Which means they'll see it all fastened up like a bank vault an' figured you an' your crew are still inside. It should also stop anyone getting on board while we're gone."

"I could leave Denny with the ship. Would make sense to have my pilot on stand-by."

"For a ship that can't fly?" At Monty's hurt look, Ritchie hurried to smooth over his hasty words. "Look, we're makin' the sh